Neturia (community development block)

Background

The Jaina Bhagavati-Sutra of 5th century AD mentions that Purulia was one of the sixteen mahajanapadas and was a part of the kingdom known as Vajra-bhumi in ancient times. In 1833, Manbhum district was carved out of Jungle Mahals district, with headquarters at Manbazar. In 1838, the headquarters was transferred to Purulia. In 1956, Manbhum district was partitioned between Bihar and West Bengal under the States Reorganization Act and the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act 1956.

Geography

Neturia is located at 23°39′47″N 86°49′37″E.

Neturia CD Block is located in the north-western part of the district. The Damodar marks the northern boundary of Neturia CD Block. The Damodar Dwaraka upland is an extension of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The area is undulating with hillocks of hard rocks.

Neturia CD Block is bounded by Nirsa CD Block, in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, and Salanpur CD Block, in Bardhaman district, both across the Damodar River on the north, Santuri CD Block on the east, Raghunathpur I CD Block on the south and Raghunathpur II CD Block on the west.

It is located 69 km from Purulia, the district headquarters.

Neturia CD Block has an area of 203.65 km². It has 1 panchayat samity, 7 gram panchayats, 73 gram sansads (village councils), 124 mouzas, 110 inhabited villages and 3 census towns. Neturia police station serves this block. Headquarters of this CD Block are at Gobag, Ramkanali.

Gram panchayats of Neturia block/panchayat samiti are: Bhamuria, Digha, Guniara, Janardandi, Raibandh, Saltore and Sarbari.

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Neturia CD Block had a total population of 101,427, of which 83,137 were rural and 18,290 were urban. There were 52,310 (52%) males and 49,117 (48%) females. Population below 6 years was 13,661. Scheduled Castes numbered 29,275 (28.86%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 22,616 (22.30%).

As per 2001 census, Neturia block had a total population of 90,632, out of which 46,900 were males and 43,732 were females. Neturia block registered a population growth of 10.24 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for Purulia district was 13.96 per cent. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.

Census Towns in Neturia CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Saltor (5,094), Hijuli (7,917) and Par Beliya (5,279).

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Neturia CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Sarbari (5,007).

Other villages in Neturia CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Bhamaria (3,425), Nituria (1,144), Garh Panchkot (1,415), Digha (2,300), Gunyara (1,179) and Janardandi (686).

Literacy

As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Neturia CD Block was 57,174 (65.14% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 35,092 (77.38% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 22,082 (52.06%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 25.32%.

See also – List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate

Languages

Bengali is the local language in these areas.

Along the western borders of the district the local Bengali dialect spoken in the area often merges with Magahi dialects such as Kurmali, Khotta and Khottahi or even Khotta Bangla. There is a tribal presence in many of the CD Blocks of the district. Santali was spoken by around 14% of the population of the earlier Manbhum district. Some people also speak Mundari or Kolarian languages such as Kurmali, Mundari and the languages of Bhumij and Mahli.

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 86,614 and formed 85.40% of the population in Neturia CD Block. Muslims numbered 9,783 and formed 9.65% of the population. Christians numbered 148 and formed 0.15% of the population. Others numbered 4,882 and formed 4.80% of the population. Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria, and other religious communities.

Infrastructure

115 mouzas in Neturia CD Block were electrified by 31 March 2014.

Coal mining

Parbeliya colliery is under Sodepur area of Eastern Coalfields Ltd.

Agriculture

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Neturia CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 0.62%, patta (document) holders 14.46%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 6.34%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 42.04% and agricultural labourers 36.54%.

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Neturia CD Block was 3,805.83 hectares, out of which 3,303.99 hectares by tank water, 13.64 hectares by river lift irrigation, 116.20 hectares by open dug wells and 372.00 hectares by other means.

In 2013-14, Neturia CD Block produced 3,218 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 1,771 hectares. It also produced wheat, gram and mustard.

Banking

In 2013-14, Neturia CD Block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 1 gramin bank.

Transport

In 2013-14, Neturia CD Block had 2 ferry services and 4 originating/ terminating bus routes.

State Highway 5 (West Bengal) running from Rupnarayanpur (in Bardhaman district) to Junput (in Purba Medinipur district) passes through this block.

Education

In 2013-14, Neturia CD Block had 107 primary schools with 8,852 students, 19 middle schools with 1,146 students, 4 high schools with 1,305 students and 10 higher secondary schools with 9,118 students. Neturia CD Block had 1 general college with 1,627 students, 1 professional/ technical institute with 100 students and 221 institutions with 5,925 students for special and non-formal education.

Healthcare

In 2014, Neturia CD Block had 1 rural hospital and 3 primary health centres, with total 48 beds and 6 doctors. 5,366 patients were treated indoor and 168,817 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.